POWELL BOWS OUT -- GRACEFULLY

In a statement that left little room for doubt, retired Gen. Colin Powell once again has taken himself out of presidential politics. Speaking this past week in Des Moines, the former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff emphatically declared he wouldn't be a candidate in 2000.

"I am not running for any political office in 2000," said the enormously popular Powell. "I went through this in 1995. I took a hard look at myself and ... at the needs of my family ... and we concluded that political life was not for us."

This is a statement that leaves open the possibility that Powell could conceivably respond to a broad-based draft movement. The problem for diehard Powell fans and fanciers of this scenario is the rarity of such events in American history. In the 20th century, with the exception of the draft-Eisenhower effort of 1951-52, such scenarios have never generated much traction. And, except for that single episode, none has ever succeeded. Moreover, history now records that Ike was a willing candidate. At that critical moment Ike had concluded that he was the single best person to lead the country, as well as his Republican Party, which had lost four straight presidential elections.

Not so with Powell, who has consistently turned aside pleas from Republican candidates that he campaign for them. "I'm still principally a soldier," says Powell, who will always be remembered as such. This is a man who has made many contributions to American life and, as an exemplar of character and leadership, has a great deal more to offer. A nation whose people can't seem to get enough of him will look forward to that.